EL SEGUNDO – Pau Gasol met with Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak and coach Mike Brown for about an hour Wednesday, twice as long as the standard exit interview.

He said they spoke mostly about the past because of unknown answers to questions about the future. Gasol said he could not get "clarification" on his future until management huddles with ownership about the direction of the franchise.

"I wish I could have clarification ... but they can't give it to me," said Gasol, who is widely understood to be a trade candidate but noted that he understood that the season only ended days ago.

Gasol acknowledged that the Lakers didn't tap into his best this season for various reasons, particularly with Kobe Bryant, Andrew Bynum and even Metta World Peace being threats in the low post.

"I think I'm still one of the best post-up players in the game," Gasol said.

Gasol said being categorized as the Lakers' third option was difficult for him.

"I've never experienced that in my career since I was very young," he said.

Gasol said he could grow as a player by working more away from the basket in the future, if he stays a Laker.

"I have to be more understanding of the role and the possibilities and be more comfortable with it and positive about it," Gasol said. "And also if the coaching staff makes it a little easier on you, that helps you."

- KEVIN DING

BYNUM: I DON'T WANT TO GO ANYWHERE

Andrew Bynum made clear that he intends to continue building his career with the Lakers, even though he is in line to be a free agent in a year.

"I don't want to go anywhere," Bynum said Wednesday. "Hopefully if I keep elevating my play, I won't have to."

Bynum is expected to stay a Laker for next season via the team's contract option of $16.1 million. He could sign a contract extension with the Lakers or wait and explore free agency after next season.

"I can assure you I'm not waiting because I want to go somewhere," Bynum said. "That's for sure."

Bynum put the ball in the Lakers' court as far as how much they want to commit long-term monster dollars to him. He said he would "entertain" any calls from the Lakers about an extension, but he's clearly not stressing over it or overeager for it to happen.

"I'm not reaching out," Bynum said.

Now as an established All-Star, Bynum is in a different situation than a young player with unfulfilled promise, saying: "I don't expect to hear my name out there as a possible trade. ... Obviously I want to be a Laker, but you never know what is going to happen."

Lakers forward Pau Gasol talks about the team's past season and prospects for the next one at the basketball team's headquarters in El Segundo on Wednesday. REED SAXON, AP
Lakers center Andrew Bynum talks about the team's past season and prospects for next season at the team's headquarters in El Segundo. REED SAXON, AP
Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak talks about the team's past season and prospects for the next one at the NBA team's headquarters in El Segundo. REED SAXON, AP
Lakers forward Pau Gasol, left, and a reporter, right, laugh after Gasol stretched out his legs and bumped him while talking about the team's past season and prospects for the next one at the basketball team's headquarters in El Segundo. REED SAXON, AP
Lakers forward Pau Gasol talks about the team's past season and prospects for the next one at the team's headquarters in El Segundo. REED SAXON, AP
Lakers head coach Mike Brown talks about the team's past season and prospects for the next one at the team's headquarters in El Segundo. REED SAXON, AP
Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak, front left, talks about the team's past season and prospects for the next one at the team's headquarters in El Segundo. REED SAXON, AP
Lakers center Andrew Bynum talks about the team's past season and prospects for next season at the team's headquarters in El Segundo. REED SAXON, AP
Lakers coach Mike Brown talks about the team's past season and prospects for the next one at the team's headquarters in El Segundo. REED SAXON, AP
Lakers coach Mike Brown talks about the team's past season and prospects for next one at the team's headquarters. REED SAXON, AP
Lakers guard Steve Blake talks about the team's past season and prospects for the next one at the team's headquarters in El Segundo. REED SAXON, AP

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